Union Joe

Republicans love the culture war.

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In the wake of 2023’s raucous State of the Union address, Jonah invites Noah Rothman back to the Remnant for some obscenely rank punditry on a host of hot topics. They begin by exploring what we should make of Biden’s speech, and whether the rowdy atmosphere that accompanied it was actually a good thing, before turning to issues foreign and domestic. How does Biden look as a 2024 candidate given his age? Does the GOP have anything to offer the electorate? Why did it take so long to pop China’s pesky balloon? And could that floating middle finger be the Sputnik moment America needs?

Show Notes:

– Noah’s page at Commentary

– Noah’s latest book, The Rise of the New Puritans

– Noah’s previous book, Unjust

– Noah’s previous Remnant appearance

– Kevin Williamson: “Joe Biden as Priest-King”

– Jonah: “Advice for Biden: Be Like Ike”

–  A deflated Commentary Podcast

– The Remnant with Dalibor Rohac

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Comments (42)
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  1. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    This was great! we seem to be on a Commentary kick recently. I like that.

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  2. Avatar photo
    BWG

    Good conversation, I definitely upvote more visits by Noah.

    I don't understand the reluctance to move toward, or at least telegraph willingness to move toward, an all out NATO-Russia conflict. Russia cannot win such a war, even the most ardent supporters of the war inside Russia must understand that at this point. It's already clear that most of the world can do without their minimart exports and economy. I think we should pull out the stops and pour weapons into Ukraine as fast as we can without dangerously depleting our own defenses, and simultaneously fund our own weapons replacement and buildup. And not just conventional weapons. Right now I believe we're limited to 1550 nuclear warheads due the New START treaty, which the Russians have violated by refusing confirmatory inspections. We need to drop that treaty like the diarrheic skunk that it is and start rebuilding our nuclear arsenal, to at least 3000 warheads. After all, we have China, N Korea, and potentially Iran and others to counter also.

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  3. Moorechaos

    Sanguine=penguin. Exactly where my mind goes the rhyme thing.

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    CynthiaW

    Nice chat. Mr. Rothman has a fantastic vocabulary. I'm looking forward to reading his stuff at NR. Might get me to renew.

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    1. Moorechaos

      He really is a very smart dude. So are the rest of the Commentary podcast crew. I can't believe the deep thinking and discussions that go on there. I feel like they have helped my vocabulary which was sad, lol. Jonah...have Abe on sometime.

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      1. Avatar photo
        CynthiaW

        I have sometimes listened to the Commentary podcast, but it was hard to find time every day, and then I got into Revolutions and Tides of History...

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        1. Moorechaos

          I get it! So many good podcasts, only so many hours in the day.

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            CynthiaW

            The "Tides of History" podcast - lots of back catalog, I just caught up to the current episodes on the Iron Age - is life changing on a par with Thomas Sowell's book "Knowledge and Decisions."

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    George.Skinner

    One explanation for why this surveillance balloon was lower than previous ones could simply be attributable to the altitude of the jet stream. The altitude changes over time - they might've needed to put the balloon at a lower altitude in order to ride the jet stream from China to North America, or they might've needed to lower the operating altitude of the balloon to get out of the faster moving core and spend more time passing over the targets of interest. As to why they needed a Sidewinder to pop the balloon instead of using the gun, it's because of the size of the warhead, warhead fusing, and aiming. Explosive cannon shells aren't set off by hitting the thin envelope of the balloon - they just poke holes in it, and aren't enough to bring down the balloon quickly. The Sidewinder has a laser proximity fuse that will trigger, and the warhead creates a huge cloud of shrapnel that'll shred the balloon. The Sidewinder is also a guided weapon with a longer range. A cannon needs to be fired from about 2000 ft from the target to be effective. If you're flying an aircraft at 460 knots airspeed, that gives you a firing window of less than 2.5 seconds before your jet flies right into the balloon. A Sidewinder has a range of up to 20 miles.

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    1. Nate.Sp.Evans

      Yes. Also, here’s an interesting analysis video on the topic, where a pilot explains well why (probably why anyway) the Air Force handled it this way. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9WfUXU9N7YA
      Or search for The FIRST F-22 Air to Air Kill is a Chinese Spy Balloon? on YouTube

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      BWG

      Agreed, accurate prediction of the jet stream for more than a few days is probably not possible. As you imply, they do have the ability to raise and lower the balloon, maybe they didn't think anyone would notice it at 60k feet. And yes, jet fighter cannons are for fighting other jet fighters (and strafing) when you've run out of missiles, not for engaging balloons. Missiles of course aren't either, but they're the better tool in the quiver. It's a shame it could not be brought down quickly enough to remain in our territory, but slowly enough that it could be snatched intact straight from the air. Wishful thinking....

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  6. Avatar photo
    Christopher Jenkins

    I would love a Remnant, G-File, or The Dispatch sticker to put on my tumbler that I use at work. Maybe a sticker with a picture of Pippa that says "I love you" would be fun, too.

    Congrats to Noah on his move to NR. I'd been hoping he'd move over here, though.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Christopher Jenkins

      Also would buy "no you won't, this is a podcast" Remnant swag in a heartbeat.

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  7. Chris

    On the merch front, I will immediately buy multiple remnant Koozies if they are available. It's nearly spring/summer down here in the south, and I am always in the market for something to keep my beer cold

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  8. Tonymang101

    You should sell a patch that just says “The Dis” IYKYK

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  9. Avatar photo
    Michael Garrett

    Actual Remnant bingo cards.

    Maybe they could be printed on coasters.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Leslie

      Yes.

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  10. George R Spence

    With regard to merch…..what would be a high end item. Gold jackets. Gold fabric like the one Carmine Ragusa (I think that’s right) wore on Laverne & Shirley, with the Remnant podcast logo on the left breast. Just a thought.

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